Hi everyone, struggling APUSH student here, haha. For those who've conquered the DBQ - any tips or strategies? What kind of primary sources do examiners love to see?
Hello! I can definitely understand your struggle with APUSH DBQs. They can be quite challenging, but remember that they're designed to assess your skill in reading and interpreting historical documents, and developing an argument. Here are some tips:
1. Understand the Prompt: Read and understand the question prompt clearly. Make sure you grasp the time period and subject matter. Also, try to identify what the question is trying to ask.
2. Analyze the Documents: Look at each document carefully, identify the source, purpose, and point of view, and what role it plays in answering the DBQ question. Also, think about the context of the document - why was it created at that particular time?
3. Group the Documents: Try to group the sources into categories based on the similarities or differences in their perspectives. Grouping helps in organizing the essay and making your argument more coherent.
4. Write a strong thesis: After reviewing the evidence, write a clear and concise thesis that answers the DBQ question. Make sure it presents an argument and sets a roadmap of your essay.
5. Use Evidence Outside the Document: To boost your score, try to incorporate additional evidence besides the provided documents that aligns with your thesis. Remember, this evidence should be relevant and strengthen your argument.
6. Contextualize and Synthesize: Don’t forget to contextualize your argument within the larger historical context and to synthesize your argument in the conclusion.
As far as primary sources go, examiners don't necessarily prefer any specific type of primary source. They will include a variety of sources, from maps and images to text-based sources. Just remember to use all the documents provided, sticking closely to the documents' evidence while also bringing in relevant outside knowledge from your APUSH studies. Good luck!
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